新年新希望
By:Robert J. Tamasy
對你來說「2014 年將會是怎樣的一年？ 」換句話問:「你希望 2014 年是如何的？」
第一個問題很難回答，或者說沒辦法回答，因為它涉及很多層面，包括世界、國際或是本地的經濟因素、你所在產業的變化或決定造成不可預知的結果。在個人方面也是如此:不可預知的影響或事件、超乎你能掌控的情形、沒有實踐的期望等等。
第二個問題卻是很容易回答。我們可以依據過去或是希望來計畫、期待或是夢想新的一年。但事實是，事情不會自己發生，我們必須有所行動，設定目標就是一種好方法。
我的朋友蓋瑞‧海非 (Gary Highfield) 在他的書當想要變成必要 (When “Want To” Becomes “Have To! 註1) 裡，描述了他如何克服種種的難關，建立自己的事業和企業。他之所以會成功，是因為他設定目標，並且持續地提醒自己往目標前進。他提供了一些很棒的建議：
專注在你想要前進的目標，而不是現在你所處的現狀中。 不要期待事情會自己發生，而要有所行動。 目標不在意是誰擁有他們，目標喜歡有目標的人。 不要只是空有目標，把他們寫下來，到哪裡去都帶著他們。 要花多久才能到達目標並不重要，但你越快開始你就越快到達目標。 永遠把自己準備好，當一生難得的機會來的時候，你已經準備好了。在歷久彌新的聖經裡，箴言也告訴我們計畫和訂定目標的智慧。
誰是你的目標最終的焦點？許多目標的設定是關於我們自己、我們認識的人或是我們的生意。聖經告訴我們這些都是好的，但我們可以提高我們的眼界，把我們的目標設定為: 為要服事和討神喜歡。「你所做的，要交託耶和華，你所謀的，就必成立。」(箴言16章3節)
有彈性，願意改變其中的過程。追尋目標最棒的一件事，就是行動！但是當環境改變的時候，我們必須要願意改變計畫和方向。「人心籌算自己的道路；惟耶和華指引他的腳步。」(箴言16章9節)
理解到我們可以成為神工作的器皿。我們可以精心策劃目標和計畫，但你是否曾經想過，神呼召祂的百姓做工都有特別的心意，即使是在所謂「世俗的職場」？人心中有很多計畫，但是神的旨意卻藉著它們彰顯。「人心多有計謀；惟有耶和華的籌算才能立定。」(箴言19章21節)「人的腳步為耶和華所定；人豈能明白自己的路呢？」(箴言20章24節)
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他也是一個有40年經驗的退休新聞工作者。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）。他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」（The Heart of Mentoring）。要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com以及www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com
省思 / 討論題目
你自己希望2014年是怎樣的一年？你的家人、你的工作或是你的生意會是怎樣的一年？站在這個時間點來看，你覺得這些希望是合理的嗎？解釋一下你的理由。 你擅長訂定目標嗎？當你定下目標之後，你會如何去實踐它？你會把它們寫下來，或是經常去複習它們嗎？ 你同意蓋瑞的建議－「專注在你想要前進的目標，而不是現在你所處的現狀中」嗎？解釋一下你的答案。 你覺得讓神來與你一同計畫和設定目標如何呢？你覺得神關心你所設定的目標嗎？解釋你的答案。若你想要看或討論聖經中有關此主題的其他經文，請看以下經節：箴言3章5-6節，16章33節，21章30節，21章31節，27章1節；馬太福音6章25-34節，7章7-12節
WHAT WILL YOUR NEW YEAR LOOK LIKE?
By Robert J. Tamasy
What will 2014 look like for you? Asking the question another way, how would you desire for it to look?
The first question is difficult, even impossible to answer since it involves so many variables: World, national and local economic factors; changes within the specific industry where you work; decisions made – or not made – that have unanticipated outcomes. On the personal level it is much the same: Unexpected influences and events; circumstances beyond your control; hopes unfulfilled.
The second question, however, is much easier to answer. We can identify plans, hopes and dreams for the coming year, some based on the past, others defined by what we would want to happen. But the reality is, important things usually do not happen on their own. We must take initiative to bring them about. One of the best ways for doing this is by setting goals.
My friend, Gary Highfield, in his book, When “Want To” Becomes “Have To!”, tells his story of overcoming great hardship to build a successful career as a businessman and entrepreneur. One of the keys to his success, Gary explains, was setting goals – and continually reminding himself about them. He offers some sound suggestions:
Focus on where you want to be, not on where you are. Do not wait for things to change. Be the change agent. Goals do not care who possesses them. Goals like everyone – even you. Do not just think about goals. Write them down. Then, carry them everywhere you go. It does not matter how long it takes to get to where you want to go. But the sooner you get started, the sooner you will get there. Get ready – and stay ready. Then you will not have to start getting ready when your opportunity of a lifetime comes along.In the Bible”s timeless book of Proverbs we also see the wisdom of planning and setting goals:
Who is the ultimate focus of your goals? Most goals are established for ourselves, people we know, or our businesses. The Bible says even if those are good, we should set our sights even higher – for serving and pleasing God. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3).
Be flexible, willing to change course if needed. One of the best things about goals is in pursuing them we get into motion. But we need willingness to change plans and shift direction if circumstances dictate. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9)
Understand we can be God”s instruments for doing His work. We can be diligent in formulating and articulating our goals and plans, but have you ever considered God has specific intentions for the work He has called His people to do – even in the so-called “secular workplace”? “Many are the plans in a man”s heart, but it is the Lord”s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). “A man”s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24).
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He has written Tufting Legacies (iUniverse); Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press); coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress), and most recently edited When “Want To” Becomes “Have To!” by Gary Highfield. For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blogs, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com and www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What would you like 2014 to look like – for yourself, your family, your job, or your business? At this point, would you consider your hopes reasonable? Why or why not? How good are you at setting goals? If you establish goals, how do you go about trying to pursue them? Do you write them down, or review them regularly? Do you agree with the suggestion that we should focus on where we want to be, rather than where we are right now? Why or why not? What are your thoughts about involving God in your planning and goal-setting process? Do you think God even cares about your goals? Explain your answer.NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses: Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:33, 21:30,21:31, 27:1; Matthew 6:25-34, 7:7-12
